Prosecutor: Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Pedestrian Hit-and-Run of Cop

A Middlesex County man has been arrested and charged in connection with a Monday hit-and-run incident that left an off-duty Aberdeen police officer hospitalized earlier this week, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Wednesday.

Christopher Uszenski, 49, of Old Bridge, has been charged with first-degree attempted murder and third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision with serious bodily injury in connection with the incident.

The case background …

Shortly before 12:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, Aberdeen police responded to a call for service originating from the area of North Concourse and Wayside Drive in the Cliffwood Beach section of the township.

Arriving officers found the victim, Aberdeen Police Lt. Craig Hausmann at that location. He had sustained injuries caused by a vehicle that had already left the scene, according to the preliminary investigation.

Authorities learned that Hausmann, while off duty, had been attempting to stop the motorist in question from driving erratically in the area when he was struck.

The investigation, which also involved members of the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART) and Keyport and Old Bridge police departments, quickly led to Uszenski being identified as a suspect, and he and his vehicle, a Nissan Altima, were found on Pomona Boulevard in Old Bridge shortly thereafter.

Following his arrest, Uszenski was held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending an initial appearance to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Hausmann is a 20-year veteran of his department who currently oversees its Administration Division, according to Aberdeen Police Chief Matthew T. Lloyd.

Hausmann, the chief said, remains hospitalized and is in stable condition.

If convicted of the attempted murder charge, the Uszenski could face up to 20 years in prison.

If anyone has any information about or witnessed any portion of this incident, they are urged to contact Detective Thomas Manzo of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at (800) 533-7443 or Detective Bruce Monro of the Aberdeen Township Police Department at 732-566-2054.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office